In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Growth"

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 20, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality  (view more)  (view less)

Why Strategic Guest Speakers Can Spark Evangelism And Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 8, 2023

High-profile guests can motivate invitations, attract visitors, reengage lapsed members, and strengthen systems when used wisely and sparingly.

Scripture: John 4:29, Luke 14:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 13:44, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Christianity, Church Growth, Guest speaker, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Tips On How Pastors Can Help Others Discover Their Spiritual Gifts

By Charles Stone on Mar 31, 2023

The more pastors help people discover, develop, and deploy their spiritual gifts, the healthier our churches become. How have you helped others discover their gifts?

Tags: Preaching, Spiritual Gifts, preaching

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 6, 2025

New believers thrive when they learn God’s love, grace, Scripture, prayer, community, and Christ centered living early. These ten lessons safeguard a healthy start.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

Do You Need Help Reading Your Bible?

By C.j. Mahaney on Jun 6, 2024

"If more people approached the Bible with a deep sense of helplessness, and hope-filled reliance on God’s merciful assistance, there would be far more seeing and savoring and transformation than there is.”

Tags: Bible, BIBLE STUDY, priorities, bible reading, Bible Study, Growth in Christ, Christian growth, Spiritual Discipline, dependence on God, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

The Top 3 Reasons Church Growth Ideas Usually Fail In Smaller Churches

By Karl Vaters on Aug 30, 2022

We're often told that small churches are failing at church growth. But sometimes church growth ideas are failing in smaller churches.

Tags: Church Growth, Context, pastoral leadership, Church Attendance, church ministry, rural church, Growth Strategy, Urban Church, context, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

10 Last Minute Preaching Tips

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 26, 2020

Pastoral wisdom reminds us that preaching is personal, formational, and inseparably tied to humility, truth, and the living Christ. These quotes challenge and sharpen us.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 10, 2024

People crave practical help, but their deepest need is God Himself. God-centered preaching lifts hearts from self to the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:17-26, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

How To Preach To The Heart

By John Bjorge on Nov 15, 2021

Faithful preaching requires more than good exegesis. When sermons speak to the heart with trust, integrity, and lived faith, real gospel transformation follows.

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-6, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 1:22

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

Preach The Person, Not Just The Principles

By Peter Mead on Apr 22, 2025

Too many sermons teach responsibility without revealing Christ. Faithful preaching must center on the living Person, not merely biblical advice.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2, John 12:32, Colossians 1:27-28, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Philippians 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

15 Awesome Quotes To Inspire Your Preaching

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 1, 2020

Spend ten minutes with history's great preachers and come away renewed and re-focused!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Luke 18:9, James 4:6, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Commitment, action, spiritual leadership, Spiritual Leadership

Preaching When Times Are Tight

By David R. Stokes on Mar 29, 2020

When finances shake confidence and fear grows, preaching must lift weary hearts toward Heaven, reminding them of the unshakable kingdom God has prepared.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Spiritual Renewal

7 Ways To Help Prevent Leadership Loneliness

By Paul Loyless on Apr 21, 2020

Pastoral isolation is real, but preventable. These practical rhythms help pastors resist burnout, build community, and serve without losing heart.

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, Exodus 20:8-10, Mark 6:31, Galatians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Renewal

3 Ways I Overcome My Fear Of Preaching

By Greg Stier on Jun 15, 2020

Preachers get nervous. Paul did too! These three practices transform fear into fuel by driving you to study harder, pray deeper, and preach like it’s your last time.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-9, 1 Corinthians 2:3, Matthew 22:35-40, Ephesians 6:19, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Dependence

6 Ways Pastors Can Help People Deal With Doubts

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 11, 2020

It seems like doubt is a popular subject these days, but doubt comes with a price. Here are six ideas that could help any pastor when asked to speak about the subject of doubt.

Scripture: John 20:24-31, Jeremiah 29:13, Mark 9:24, Acts 9:1-9

Tags: Faith, doubt, Belief, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation  (view more)  (view less)